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Report: Donaghy bet on over 100 games he worked.

Reports: Donaghy bet on more than 100 games he worked
ESPN.com news services

Updated: May 17, 2008, 8:49 AM ET

Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy bet on more than 100 games that he worked, federal prosecutors said in a court filing Friday, according to media reports.

Donaghy pleaded guilty last year to charges he conspired to engage in wire fraud and transmitted betting information through interstate commerce. He was alleged to have given a pair of gamblers inside information, including tips on which crews would officiate games and how the various officials and players interacted, and collected $5,000 if his picks were correct.

According to court filings, Donaghy bet on about 30 games each season starting in 2003 and 14 games during the 2006-2007 season, the New York Post reported.

Donaghy, who started placing bets on NBA games in 2003, is now scheduled to be sentenced on July 14.

"The government's investigation revealed that Donaghy provided picks for anywhere from 30 to 40 games for each of those three seasons," Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Goldberg said in a letter filed Friday at U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, according to the New York Daily News.

Two other men who were high school classmates with Donaghy, James Battista and Thomas Martino, have pleaded guilty to their role in the scheme.

Re: Report: Donaghy bet on over 100 games he worked.

Updated: May 20, 2008, 10:29 AM ET
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NEW YORK -- Disgraced basketball referee Tim Donaghy told investigators in the NBA betting probe that relationships among officials, coaches and players "affected the outcome of games," his attorney said. The league said the charges were unfounded.

Donaghy

Donaghy's attorney made the assertions in a letter filed in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn on Monday, in which he argued that his client should be sentenced to probation because he fully cooperated with prosecutors and has been undergoing treatment for his gambling addiction.

The attorney also suggested that Donaghy told investigators about the gambling activities of other NBA officials and about a referee that passed "confidential" information to an unidentified coach.

The attorney, John F. Lauro, wrote that the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District agreed to plea agreements with other defendants in the case, even though his client told investigators about NBA matters outside of the government's initial investigation. Lauro said the disparity in treatment could not be fully explained because prosecutors have "surrounded this case with a cone of silence."

In a footnote, attorney John F. Lauro suggested that the NBA might have "pressured" the attorney's office "into shutting down this prosecution to avoid the disclosure of information unrelated to Tim's conduct."
The U.S. attorney's office said Tuesday it has no comment.

In a footnote, the attorney suggested that the NBA might have "pressured" the attorney's office "into shutting down this prosecution to avoid the disclosure of information unrelated to Tim's conduct."

"The letter filed today on Mr. Donaghy's behalf contains an assortment of lies, unfounded allegations, and facts that have been previously acknowledged, such as the fact that certain NBA referees engaged in casino gambling in violation of NBA rules," said Joel Litvin, the NBA president for league and basketball operations, in a statement. "The letter is the desperate act of a convicted felon who is hoping to avoid prison time."

The 42-year-old veteran referee pleaded guilty last August to felony charges for taking cash payoffs from gamblers and betting on games he officiated. Donaghy's sentencing was pushed back to July 14 on Monday; by law, he faces up to 25 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, though the term could be much lower under sentencing guidelines.

While citing Donaghy's commitment to his family, charitable activities and positive feedback for his career as a referee prior to his "tragic fall from grace," his attorney said that his client's "aberrant conduct" can only be understood in the context of his gambling addiction, a "crippling disease, which prevented him from exercising complete rational self control."

Lauro wrote that Donaghy is taking steps to get treatment for his condition, including therapy with a gambling counselor and attending Gamblers Anonymous meetings.

"Without a doubt, Tim made significant errors in judgment, but he also tried to right the wrongs of his conduct by assisting the government and seeking treatment for his disorder," Lauro wrote.

Re: Report: Donaghy bet on over 100 games he worked.

Last year on the day of the five hundred the STAR ran an article where Timmy boy made a very questionable call on the Pacers. They were playing the Spurs and an offensive three seconds was called upon the Pacers. Rick Carlile blasted the call in the post game. I will try to find the article to post. (I may need some additional help)

Re: Report: Donaghy bet on over 100 games he worked.

If this turns out to be true, I am never going to let any of you live it down.

I've been waiting for this moment as well. I'd love to see Donaghy bring out all the dirty laundry of the NBA.

Its funny, the more the NBA says its just one Rogue ref and everyone else is perfect, the more it looks like Roger Clemens or Barry Bonds (we're clean). The criminal (the trainer and now Donaghy) actually become more believable as the truth seems to be setting them "Free".

Gambling has mucked up all too many great sporting events and bellicheat needs to be suspended from coaching for a long time.

Re: Report: Donaghy bet on over 100 games he worked.

Is the league totally fixed? No! Do they have an idea what is going on in Vegas and can easily influence it? Absolutely! NFL is the same way.

Another thing Barkley may not bet on basketball but he definitely knows the spreads. Last game on the Dallas vs NO series NO was -6 and was up by 15 with 2 minutes to go. Dallas went on a nasty run, fouls were being called and a lot of and 1's. They end up losing by 4 -I believe-, when the TNT show came on Barkley had a funny look on his face and Kenny goes "That was exciting" and Barkley responds "only for the bookies." Showing he does indeed know the spreads. That is typical of fixed games, it doesn't effect the overall NBA outcome but effects the outcome in Vegas. Shaving points towards the end of the game is what is going on.